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Polish leader to debate EU treaty Polish leader to debate EU treaty
(about 7 hours later)
Poland's President, Lech Kaczynski, is visiting Germany for crucial talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel on the future of a new EU constitutional treaty.Poland's President, Lech Kaczynski, is visiting Germany for crucial talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel on the future of a new EU constitutional treaty.
Germany, the current holder of the EU presidency, wants states to agree to a road map on a simplified constitution at next week's summit in Brussels.Germany, the current holder of the EU presidency, wants states to agree to a road map on a simplified constitution at next week's summit in Brussels.
But Mr Kaczynski has threatened to use his country's veto to derail any new agreement reducing its voting rights.But Mr Kaczynski has threatened to use his country's veto to derail any new agreement reducing its voting rights.
French and Dutch voters rejected a proposed EU constitution in 2005.French and Dutch voters rejected a proposed EU constitution in 2005.
The new, simplified treaty is expected to address demands for institutional change to help the EU to operate more efficiently.The new, simplified treaty is expected to address demands for institutional change to help the EU to operate more efficiently.
'Herculean effort''Herculean effort'
But Mr Kaczynski has threatened to block efforts to draft it next week because of the proposed changes to the 27-member bloc's national voting system.But Mr Kaczynski has threatened to block efforts to draft it next week because of the proposed changes to the 27-member bloc's national voting system.
Is Europe about to give more power to Brussels? BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says Poland currently has an extraordinarily good deal compared to its size.The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says Poland currently has an extraordinarily good deal compared to its size.
However, under the "double majority" system written into the constitution three years ago, it stands to be one of the biggest losers, our correspondent says.However, under the "double majority" system written into the constitution three years ago, it stands to be one of the biggest losers, our correspondent says.
Poland says accepting the system would be a capitulation, because it would give its neighbour, Germany, far more weight than it has now and Poland far less.Poland says accepting the system would be a capitulation, because it would give its neighbour, Germany, far more weight than it has now and Poland far less.
Mr Kaczynski has therefore said he wants European leaders to discuss what he believes is a fairer alternative - calculating voting rights according to the square root of each country's population, rather than simply according to population.Mr Kaczynski has therefore said he wants European leaders to discuss what he believes is a fairer alternative - calculating voting rights according to the square root of each country's population, rather than simply according to population.
If Poland is not allowed to have its say, it will use its veto, Mr Kaczynski has warned.If Poland is not allowed to have its say, it will use its veto, Mr Kaczynski has warned.
The president and his twin brother, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, say their plan "is worth dying for".The president and his twin brother, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, say their plan "is worth dying for".
Our correspondent says the chances for an agreement next week are not looking good.Our correspondent says the chances for an agreement next week are not looking good.
Berlin has identified seven outstanding problems to be discussed at the summit and the voting system is not among them.Berlin has identified seven outstanding problems to be discussed at the summit and the voting system is not among them.
Mrs Merkel has admitted it will take a "Herculean" effort to win Poland round.Mrs Merkel has admitted it will take a "Herculean" effort to win Poland round.